Search for missing Big Bend hiker, who went down narrow trail, continues

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West Texas officials continued their search Friday for a hiker who went missing while trekking through a narrow Big Bend Ranch State Park trail near the Rio Grande.

Tim Reed, 65, was reported missing Tuesday after he left for a hike the previous day and did not return, his girlfriend, Yvonne Honifin, told authorities with the Presidio County Sheriff's Office. Reed was reportedly hiking in Colorado Canyon and along the Closed Canyon trail, county officials said.

The Closed Canyon trail is located on the southern end of the park near Mexico and ends at the Rio Grande. In a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department brochure, the trail is described as a "narrow slot canyon" with an undefined pathway and tall walls.

"Because the canyon walls are so tall and narrow, little sunlight reaches the floor and the temperature in the canyon is substantially cooler than out in the exposed desert for most of the day," reads the brochure.

Additionally, TPWD officials said in the brochure to "exercise caution in areas of slick and smooth rock."

The trail is about 1.4 miles round trip and Big Bend Now reported Reed's truck was found at the trail's start Tuesday morning. It also reported Honifin told authorities she hadn't accompanied Reed because she'd fallen ill.

Officials with the Presidio County Sheriff's Office said Reed is from Oregon, is 6'1", 225 pounds and has gray hair. He was wearing blue jeans, tan boots, a black nylon jacket, a two-tone sweatshirt and a black baseball cap the last time he was seen.

Those with information on Reed's whereabouts can contact the Presidio County Sheriff's Office at: 432-729-4308.

Kelsey Bradshaw is a digital reporter for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| kbradshaw@express-news.net | Twitter:@kbrad5